Immunofluorescent staining technics in the diagnosis of alopecia

A retrospective clinicopathologic and immunopathologic review of 50 cases of scalp alopecia was done to assess the diagnostic value of the immunofluorescent staining technic. Discoid lupus erythematosus and lichen planus almost always produce different patterns of immunoglobulin and complement deposition. However, in occasional cases of discoid lupus erythematosus the characteristic LE immunofluorescent band may be absent and the direct immunofluorescent findings may be indistinguishable from those seen in lichen planus. Negative results were found in all other conditions except four cases of benign mucous membrane or cicatricial pemphigoid presenting with scalp lesions. Three of these cases were clinically unsuspected.